How to Make Your Own Wishing Tree

 This is an easy and fun project you can do for any shower, party, or wedding, a wishing tree. A wishing tree is a tree that guests hang cards on, that generally have either wishes or advice for the person/people of honor. The wishing tree that I made, was for my niece or nephew (waiting to find out) for a friends baby shower. Here's the finished product.

 And here is how you can make your very own wishing tree...

You will need:

1. Branches: There are many options available- curly willow branches, dogwood, or even branches in your backyard. I used some branches that had sparkly accents that I got on sale from a local craft store
2. Vase: Any vase that is at between 10" and 12" in height and has a wide enough mouth to spread out your branches. I used a medium sized hurricane vase. Cost was under $5.
3. Vase filler: I used river rocks.
4. Decorations to spruce up your tree (optional): I used ribbon & a handmade fabric flower for the vase. And on the branches I placed twist-tie flowers baby diaper-pin ornaments.
5. Wishing Tags: I made my own wishing tree tags and they were such a big hit at the shower, I began selling them on Etsy. You can purchase them at my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreeSpiritCrafting

Step 1: Fill your vase with river rocks (or filler of your choice) and then stick your branches deep into the rocks to keep them sturdy. Arrange the branches so they are equally distributed around the vase.

 

Step 2: Decorating your tree. I found a pack of twist tie flowers at a local craft store I tied them to the branches to add a little color and sparkle. Butterflies or birds would be a great option too.

Handmade fabric flower and ribbon to decorate the vase

Because this was a gender neutral shower, I spray painted some pink plastic diaper pins (could only find baby blue and pink) with light green spray paint.Then hung them on the tree as a decorative ornaments.

Step 3: Wishing tree tags- you can purchase tags from me at my Etsy Shop,  Click here. I included the tags with each place setting so the guests could fill them out at their convenience and then hang them on the tree when completed. 

If you would like to purchase my wishing tree tags at my Etsy shop, use this coupon code to received 10% OFF: FSCBLOG. Thanks for your interest and support!!

Step 4: Make a sign to put in front of the tree

Final Product:

At the end of the shower I gave the Mommy-to-be all of the cards. She can put them in her baby book, and when Baby is big enough he/she will get to read all of the nice wishes that friends and family wrote.

UPDATE- It's a girl!!! The Mommy told me she absolutely loved reading the wishing tree cards and cannot wait to share them with her baby girl when she is old enough.